Highlights from the 30 Hour Novel marathon #NaNoWriWee

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Write a novel in 30 hours how could I resist this invitation from Kernel? Helpfully linked with a Guardian guide to writing a novel in a month.

On the 25th January 15 people assembled around 7.30 in the Kernel office to start the 30 hour novel writing marathon. I was one of them. It was a great  experience and it was encouraging to see how quickly the group bonded sharing tips, encouraging thoughts and discussing their individual challenges. The different approaches taken by this diverse group were fascinating. Thanks to @SusyPote  who kept us well fed and watered over two long days.

A bonus for me was meeting Jeremy Wilson who shares my astonishment that technology companies are not doing more to enrich the lives of older people.

Some of the highlights  which were shared on Twitter. Do feel free to add your favourite in the comments box!

I'm so dedicated to my 30 hour novel being the best it can that tonight I shall forego my usual Friday night vat of single malt #NaNoWriWee

— Paul Coxon (@ThatPaulCoxon) January 25, 2013

There's no minimum word count, but we think 20,000 is achievable. 30,000 would be a good-sized novella. #NaNoWriWee

— The Kernel (@KernelMag) January 25, 2013

30 hours. 10 people. One room. No ideas… Let's see what happens. #nanowriwee

— Emma Field a.k.a. Fast-Field (@Emma_Travel) January 26, 2013

https://twitter.com/meandmybigmouth/status/295156951380267008

https://twitter.com/ChrisBrosnahan/status/295488926523744256

https://twitter.com/authonomy/status/295491598215675905

@authonomy newbie tip I gave to myself: "don't think about style, just write it like you were telling the story to someone, there's no time"

— Alex Drahon (@adrahon) January 26, 2013

https://twitter.com/authonomy/status/295176221250162688

@shirleyayres Great, I'm officially a writing coach now! I'm going to sell e-books, "Flesh out your novel with Wikipedia".

— Alex Drahon (@adrahon) January 26, 2013

https://twitter.com/authonomy/status/295175500807143424

https://twitter.com/authonomy/status/295175882841157632

@shirleyayres Not aiming for a novel today, but #nanowriwee has got me off my procrastinating arse and writing. A creativity-kick starter.

— Emma Field a.k.a. Fast-Field (@Emma_Travel) January 27, 2013

#NaNoWriWee Did @tomchurch actually write a 78K manuscript about How to Write a Book in 30 Hours?! Very very funny! WTG!

— Tarri 🇨🇦🏳️‍🌈🇺🇸 💙🌻💛 🇺🇦 (@Tarri_CA) January 27, 2013

https://twitter.com/tomchurch/status/295530648351932416

Apart from the fact that I hate my characters, doubt my ending, and want to change everything, I think it's going swimmingly #nanowriwee

— Chris Wright (@CWrightmedia) January 27, 2013

Congrats exciting news that @cwrightmedia one of the @KernelMag HQ stalwarts has now completed 20K words! #NaNoWriWee

— Shirley Ayres (@shirleyayres) January 27, 2013

Finally finished the sex scene. Odd that I feel like I need to smoke a cigarette now…#NaNoWriWee

— Susy Pote 💙 (@SusyPote) January 27, 2013

#NaNoWriWee Did @tomchurch actually write a 78K manuscript about How to Write a Book in 30 Hours?! Very very funny! WTG!

— Tarri 🇨🇦🏳️‍🌈🇺🇸 💙🌻💛 🇺🇦 (@Tarri_CA) January 27, 2013

https://twitter.com/fivegoglamping/status/295559988389228545

@stu_bradley Same boat here. Hoping to break 10k by midnight here in Virginia, USA before hitting bed. I'll be happy with 20k! Good luck!

— Eli Constant (@Author_EliC) January 27, 2013

https://twitter.com/Nero/status/295578450939502592

https://twitter.com/stu_bradley/status/295622087203237889

Woot, getting close to the 20 000 word mark and the very end of my story. #nanowriwee

— Paul Coxon (@ThatPaulCoxon) January 27, 2013

https://twitter.com/Nero/status/295668383557509120

From 376 registered participants, #NaNoWriWee writers have successfully submitted 122 novels. Amazing. A lot of work ahead for us this week!

— The Kernel (@KernelMag) January 28, 2013

#NaNoWriWee: a terrific success! http://t.co/LPnQpe1m

— The Kernel (@KernelMag) January 28, 2013

Curious about #nanowriwee? Want to find out what it was like? What did I learn? Read my blog to find out. http://t.co/h1g62hSx

— Chris Brosnahan (@ChrisBrosnahan) January 28, 2013

Entertaining blog by @dyk35 on his experience of trying to writie a novel in 30 hours with @kernelmag: http://t.co/iIQOu2oB #nanowriwee

— Paul Dawson (@poleydee) January 30, 2013

A big thank you to Kernel for running this innovative event. I did not manage to finish my novella but there was so much learning from taking part. Congratulations to everyone who has submitted their novels by the deadline. I will  update when the public voting for the winning novel starts tomorrow.

Lessons for the Care Sector?

How to move from thinking to doing in 30 hours. There was so much energy and focus from everyone I spoke to about being involved in #NaNoWriWee. I am left wondering what could be achieved for care if we gathered together a group of motivated and inspired people from across the care sector for two days with a radical brief to redesign the care, health and care systems which any one of us may need!